Before we step into the playground, my wife & I would visit the scenes to see what we think we could make of it.

Key factors to consider include choosing a safe and appealing location and assembling a strong team of professionals to navigate the complexities of the project.

However, to be safe, you need him to complete a W9 and check "corporation" box and sign.3.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.I suggest you seek out courses that actually teach you how to safely do it.

A DTI (Debt-to-Income) ratio of 50% or lower, when including all expenses you pay/month, would be safe IMHO.

Looking for a reasonably safe area as well that would attract better tenants.I looked at condos in Walnut Creek, San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, and Hayward as well (since only condos would be within my price range in these areas) but the fear of being in an HOA is what's pushing me toward SFH. 

From my understanding if you do have their SSN there are extra safeguards you need to keep them safe but I barely looked into it.   

Do I need to feel safe in this neighborhood? 

I guess I am here because I feel lost and overwhelmed and want to learn how to make the most of this situation to achieve my goals in a safe way over the next 1-5 years if possible.

That's the properties i currently hold, a few more properties and i will be bringing in what i make right now working, in cash flow, and i could live off of that, the rest will be all theirs. i have done a some flips, i have made as little as $100, i have also made $50,000, so there are ways to get money when needed but no matter which type of investing you are doing it is always a gamble, but i think a variety of ways is your best bet, you are taking risks yet having some safe investments for those down times, the next best area may be the worst financial investment if you do not time things right, either buying or selling.There are probably investors out there that lose money on their properties but it is a tax advantage/ strategy for them and down the road when they sell, or their kids inherit, it would be worth a lot of money to either one. if you make a lot of money and you need a place to " dump " it, a losing property is a good hiding place especially if the kids inherit it later at current market value.There is no wrong way to invest, as long as you have a plan and an exit strategy.